Sweeping machine



April 8, 1933. o. F. PRESBREY 1,904,881

SWEEPING MACHINE Filed Nov. 11', 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet l I l I INVENTOR 0m: i/irrseiir ATTORNEY April 18, 1933.

4 v Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 11, 1927 Mm \WMM/ ATTOR N EY April 3 o. F. PRESBREY 1,904,881

swEEPING MACHINE Filed Nov. 11, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR 07/: f/ ifsafizx.

1 ATTORNEY April o. F. PRESBREY 1,904,881

SWEEPING MACHINE Filed Nov. 11, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 arzsi mss'a/rir ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 18, 1933 PATENT mm;

' one 1'. mm, or BnooxLYn-imw You swnnrme momma Application fled November 11,1827. Serial 1%(232319.

Thisv invention relates to improvements in sweeping machines, and refers particularly to rotary sweepers which areadaptable for sweep' g'streets, piers, warehouses, railroad yards, and the like. "I

An important object 'of.th e inventlon 1n its broader as ects is to provide a sweeping machine in which a rotary broom is associated with a vehicle, preferably a self-propelled wheeled vehicle, in such a manner as to float whereby to follow the contour of the 'road. That is, thebroom is so' mounted as to automatically adjust itself, whichis comparable with a floating condition. The undesirable featuresof the prior art are overcome by the present invention, and asweeper is provided which will be of extreme-;

ly slmple construction, possessing great strength and durability, and capable of being economically produced. While the front location ofthe broom is desirable, it is not absolutely essential in some aspects of the present invention.-

' Another object of the invention, more specifically, is to provide a swee er in which the broom is pushed in front 0 the'vehicle and is adjustable whereby to be capable of throwing the swept material toward either side of the path of the vehicle.

Another object is to provide a sweeper wherein the broom can be raised and lowered whereby to impose varying sweeping pressures on the road orto be moved into.

an inoperativev position if desired.

Another object is to provide a sweeper wherein the broom is rotated by the power plant of the-vehicle and capable of being selectively operated or stopped at the will of the operator.

Another object is to provide a novel driv-.

ing connection forthe broom, which will be very efiicient and strong in service,-and particularly adaptable for use on or in conjunction with tractors well known commercially under the name of Fordson.

These and other objects, features and advantages will be readily apparent from the following description in connection with the 0 accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown by way of illustration, and wherein,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved sweeper showing the broom' disposed transversely across the road; a

2 is a top plan view thereof;

Flg. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 2; a

Fig. 4 is a' fragmentary sectional view on a larger scalethrough one end of the'broom su' porting means and drive shaft;

ig. 5 is a detail sectional view on line 55 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a vertical longitudinal sectional View on line 66 of Fig. 2; 53 Fig. 7, 's a fragmentary vertical sectional view on line 77 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view on line 88 of'Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view Showing more clearly one of the adjustable bearings for one end of the broom shaft; and

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the left hand side ofthe operators cab.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the invention has been shown as embodied in a self-propelled vehicle including front and rear wheels 10 and 11 respectively mounted on axles 12 and 13, suitabl articulated and provided with a power p ant -14 having a transmission casing 15 of any ordinary or preferred construction. Adjacent to and above the rear axle 13 is a seat 16 from which position an operator can manipulate the steering wheel 17 and various power plant controls not shown. If the tractor is not otherwise provided with a frame capable of filed March- 26, 1927. A rotary broom 2l'is mounted in a floating condition preferably in front of the vehicle and its characteristics, mode of support, driving mechanism, and adjusting means constitute the essence of this invention as will now be described.

Secured in a substantially central POSF tion on the'front cross member 19, is a supporting bracket 22, which is characterized by a forwardly extending arm 23, and a downwardly extending portion 24 having a forwardly extending casing 25' for forming a complement to bracket 22. Said casing 25 may be substantially circular in outline with its axis vertically disposed and is provided in its lower end with a bearing 26 for the lower end of a shaft 27. Intermediate its ends, the mast or shaft 27 takes a bearing at 28 in the extremity of the arm 23, and thence rises upwardly a substantial distance for a purpose to be hereinafter set forth. Between the bearings 26 and 28, the shaft 27 is preferably enlarged in diameter and fitted with thrust washers 29, and has secured to it a second casing section 30. which cooperates with the casing 25 to form an enclosure for a pair of bevel gears 31 and 32 which are rotatable on the enlarged portion of the shaft 27. The mutually engaging portions of the casing sections 25 and are provided with cooperating flanges as at 33 to provide a swivel and distribute the weight of the upper section and associated parts, and sa1d upper section is further characterized by a pair of alined lateral sleeve portions 34 and 35 which extend in opposite directions toward the sides of the vehicle.

The sleeve portions 34 and 35 are respectively provided with tubular arms 36 and 37 of suitable length to extend beyond the planes of the vehicle wheels, and said tubular arms, at their extremities, pivotally support spaced parallel levers 38 and 39 which extend forwardly and support journal members 40 for the opposite ends of shaft 41 of the broom 21. The sleeve portions 34, 35 and casing section 30, with arms 36, 37, form an elongated member for supporting the levers 38, 39 and extends transversely of the vehicle. Said levers 38 and 39 may preferably be in the form of substantially triangular plates or frames, and may be connected together by a transverse sheet metal plate 42 which in effect provides a hood beneath which the broom 21 is operable. The levers 38 and 39 are independently movable about the axis of the tubular arms 36 and 37, and the plate 42 is sufliciently yieldable to permit such independent movement of the levers, whereby the broom 21 can automatically position itself in accordance with the contour of the road. In order to partly counterbalance the weight of the arms 38 and 39 and the broom 21, each of said arms is provided with a torsion spring 43, several convolutions of which encircle the hub portion 44 of the lever, and

said spring having an offset extremity 45 engaging a fixed collar 46, and its other extremity oppositely offset to engage the under side of the corresponding lever as at 47. Suitable caps 48 and 49 may be employed to close the outer ends of the tubular arms 36 and 37 respectively whereby to prevent entry of dirt or moisture into the central gear casing.

It will'be evident from the foregoing that the broom 21 is supported in a freely floating condition in front of the vehicle, the opposite ends of the broom being independently yieldable vertically with reference to the road or other surface upon which the vehicle is operating, and the broom as a whole with its levers 38 and 39 and supporting arms 36 and 37. being horizontally movable as a unit about the axis of the upright shaft 27 because of the swivel joint at 33 of the housing 25, 30. By virtue of this arrangement, the axis of the broom may be disposed at an angle to the longitudinal center of the vehicle whereby to throw the swept material toward either side of the path of the vehicle when operating. These possibilities are gained by providing a common center of adjustment at the intersection of the axes of the pivot shaft 27 and the transverse member previously mentioned.

In order to rotate the broom its shaft 41 is provided on one of its ends with a sprocket 50 (Figs. 2 and 3) which is driven by a link belt or chain 51 running over a driving sprocket 52 on the outer end of a shaft 53. Said shaft 53 extends through the tubular arm 36, being rotatably mounted therein preferably in roller bearings 54 and 55, and is provided at its inner end with a bevel pinion 56 meshing with the bevel gear 32.. At its lower end, and rearwardly of the casing section 25, the bracket 22 is provided with a bearing 57 within which is journalled a shaft 58 having at its inner or forward end a bevel pinion 59 in mesh with the bevel gear 31, and at its outer end a driven sprocket 60. Thus rotation of the sprocket 60 causes the gears 59, 31, 32 and 56 to rotate the shaft 53 and such movement is transmitted to the broom shaft 41 through the sprockets 50 and 52 and chain 51.

At one side of the vehicleis a longitudinal shaft 61 journalled as at 62 and 63 for rotation, and said shaft is provided at its forward end with a sprocket 64 from which power is transmitted to the sprocket 60 by means of a link belt or chain 65. A gear 66 on said shaft 61 meshes with a gear 67 on the forward end of a power take-off shaft 68 which is rotatable from a suitable power take-off mechanism 69 mounted on the side of the main transmission case 15. Although any desired type of power take-off mechanism may be employed, I prefer to make use of one of the type disclosed in my copending application for power transmission mechanism, Serial N 0. 140,845, filed October 11, 1926. In this manner power to rotate the broom 21 may be transmitted from the power plant 14. of the .vehicle through shafts 68 and 61, sprocket 64, chain 65 and sprocket 60 to the gearin already described.

In order to e ect angular adjustment of the broom about the axis of shaft 27, a cable 70 is provided, said cable having its op ilosiie ends connected at 71' and 72 to the tu ular arms 36 and 37, and having several convolutions wound on a drum 73 of a hand winch 74. Said winch may be mounted adjacent.

the o erators seat 16, and includes a worm gear 5 and worm 76 operable by a hand 1 crank 77. The cable 70 runs over guide rollers 78 and 79, substantially encircling the vehicle frame, and from this it will be evident that rotation of the crank handle 77 in either direction will cause the broom mounting to be correspondingly moved about the axis of shaft 27. I

It is sometimes desirable to raise and lower the broom with reference to the working surface, and novel means are provided for this 26 purpose. Adjacent their forward ends, the levers 38 and 39 are provided with a erture'd ears 80 with which are associate pulley blocks 81 and 82. As was previously stated, the shaft 27 extends upwardly a substantial distance to a height above the upper and out er ends of the levers 38 and 39, and the upper end of said shaft-is provided with a head fitting 83 having apertured, laterally extending ears 84 and 85 for supporting pulley the front cross member 19 is a pair of lugs 88 which are apertured for engagement of coiled tension springs 89. The opposite ends of a cable 90 are secured to the other ends of said springs 89, and intermediate its ends said cable 90 is threaded through and past the pulley blocks 86, 87, and 81, 82, and carries in its center a free pulley block 91. Connected to the pulley block 91 is an oppositely disposed pulley block 92 through which is threaded a. cable 93 having one of its ends anchored at 94 and its other end secured to a drum 95 of a winch 96. Said winch 96 is substantially like the winch 74 and is operable by a crank handle 97. From this it will be obvious that as the crank handle 97 is rotated in either direction, the cable 93 will be wound on or unwound from the drum 95, thus either shortening or lengthen ing the loop of the cable 93 with which the pulley block 92 is associated. Such movement of the pulley block 92. is followed by the block 91, and thereby the broom 21, arms 38 and 39, and associated parts will be moved as a unitabout the axis of arms 36 and 37. By virtue of the fact that the springs 89 are under tension, the cable 90 will be kept taut at all times during the operation of the de- V168.

blocks 86 and 87 respectively. Secured to' the frame side members 18 rearward from For protection of the operator in inclement weather, a cab may be provided, Fig-.1

respective crank handles 77 and 97 accessible i from the inside.

. It will be evident from the foregoing description that a novel sweeping machine has been provided, whereby a rotary broom is adjustably mounted in floating condition preferably in front of a self-propelled veicle. In view of the fact that the broom'is of .suflicient-length to extend outwardly beyond the planes of the vehicle wheels and is disposed in front of the vehicle, it is capable of effectively sweeping snow from streets, highways and the. like, and by selectively disposingthe axis of the broom at an angle to the axles of the vehicle, the snow or oiher swept material can be thrown up on either side'of the path of the vehicle. The construction is extremely simple, rugged, eflicient inuse, economical in manufacture, and a substantial advance in the art.

Obviously the invention is susceptible of numerous modifications in the details of construction and arrangements of parts, and the right is herein reserved to make such chan es as fall within the scope of the appen ed claims without departing from the spirit. of the invention. v

What I claim as new, is:

1. Ina sweeper of the class described, a wheeled vehicle, a rotatable broom associated with the vehicle, independently movable supports for said'broom, separate manually controlled means for positively varying the positions of said supports in two .planes, and means for rotating the broom.

2. In a swee r of the class described, the combination with a vehicle frame, of a bracket member, mounted on the front end of said frame, substantially alined transverse arms having a common connecting member received in the bracket, means whereby the arms are adjustably mounted on said bracket to'swin about a-substantially vertical axis, means or holding the arms in adjusted position, supporting members pivotally supported on the outer ends. of said arms, a broom rotatably mounted between said supportingmembers and means for rotating the broom.

3. In a sweeper of the class described, the combination with a vehicle frame, a rotary broom floatably mounted adjacent the front end of the frame, an upwardly extendin mast mounted adjacent the front .of sai frame, a guide on the mast, a second guide thereon, and means including a flexible member of substantial length cooperatingwith 130 i-io said mast and each guide to adjust said broom in a vertical plane,- such flexible member being separately connected with the opposite ends of the broom, and means for maintaining said flexible member under tension, and between which and the broom the mast is located.

4. In a sweeper of the class described, the combination with a vehicle frame, of a bracket member mounted on the front end of said frame, a substantially upright mast mounted on said bracket, transverse arms mounted on the bracket to swing about the axis of said mast, spaced pivoted members carried by the ends of said arms, a broom rotatably mounted between said spaced pivoted members, means for rotating the broom, and flexible means guided on the mast to raise and lower the broom about the axis of the pivots of said arms.

5. In a sweeper of the class described, the combination with a vehicle frame, of a bracket member mounted on the front end of said frame, a substantially upright mast mounted in said bracket, transverse arms mounted on the bracket to swing about the axis of said mast, the axes of the mast and arms intersecting, spaced pivoted members carried by the ends of said arms, a broom rotatably mounted between said spaced pivoted members, driving means for the broom including meshing bevel gears respectively rotatable on the intersecting axes of said arms and said mast, and means guided upon said mast to raise and lower the broom about the axis of the pivots of said arms. a

6. In a sweeper of the class described, a wheeled vehicle, a rotatable broom associated with the vehicle, independently movable supports for said broom, a yieldable cover-plate connecting the supports, separate manually controlled means for positively varying the positions of said supports in two planes, and

means for rotating the broom.

- OTIS F. PRESBREY. 

